Domestic Violence Defendant Pleads Guilty To Beating Relative

A domestic violence defendant pleaded guilty for causing serious injuries to a member of his family.

During the Sept. 22 hearing, Carlton Young plead guilty to assault with significant bodily injury.

According to the proffer of facts, In April, Carlton believed the victim stole money from him, so he threw her against the wall, causing a serious head injury. He punched her repeatedly on her chest and body, then stomped on her with his work boot.

As the defendant was wiping the victim’s blood from the wall, she ran out of his apartment and asked neighbors for help. She was rushed to the emergency room to treat her head injury.

His daughter attended the hearing virtually and said she would like to speak at the sentencing hearing.

The prosecution recommended is recommending a 30 month sentence, with credit for time served. The plea deal also includes one year of probation.

Defense attorney Stephen Logerfo said his client wants to plead guilty because he wants to take responsibility for his actions and because he has community support.

Logerfo asked Judge Yvonne Williams if the defendant can be released because he needs to sort out arrangements with his apartment. Judge Williams allowed him to be released into the High Intensity Supervision Program temporarily, then returned to DC Jail.

Judge Williams set a sentencing date for Nov. 30.

Defendant Accused of Stabbing Woman Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

A DC Superior Court judge found a murder defendant mentally incompetent to stand trial.

Eliyas Aregahedne, 26, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 27-year-old Margery Magill while she was walking a dog on the 400 block of Irving Street, NW, on Aug. 27, 2019.

A report from the Department of Behavioral Health found Aregahedne incompetent to stand trial and recommended a full evaluation and treatment for him.

Judge Marisa Demeo transferred Aregahedne to St. Elizabeths Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, for treatment. She also ordered a full competency examination.

Parties will reconvene on Oct. 22 for another mental observation hearing.

Judge Renews Domestic Violence Defendant’s Bench Warrant During Presentments

A DC Superior Court judge renewed a bench warrant for a domestic violence defendant on probation during presentments on Sept. 22.

A total of 21 defendants were brought before Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

The defendant was put on probation for simple assault and unlawful entry in October 2020. He allegedly violated his probation the following February, which is why the bench warrant was issued.

Judge Raffinan renewed the bench warrant.

Four other domestic violence defendants were brought before Judge Raffinan charged with simple assault. They were released with stay away orders and scheduled to return to court on Dec. 15

Document: Arrest Made In Homicide Investigation

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives have made an arrest in relation to a July homicide.

At approximately 7:42 p.m. on July 19 police responded to the 1600 block of Gales Street, NE, due to sounds of gunshots. Officer located 41-year-old Theodore Dewayne Riley, Jr with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene. On Sept. 22, officers arrested 58-year-old Eric Davis and charged him with first-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Judge Schedules Domestic Violence Case for Trial

A domestic violence defendant, who was not present for his Sept. 22 hearing due to being in quarantine, was scheduled to go before a jury next June.

The defendant is charged with first-degree and second-degree child sex abuse of a victim less than 12-years-old.

The defendant is in quarantine with his unit at the DC Jail until Oct. 1.

Defense attorney Jacqueline Cadman asked Judge Milton Lee to arraign her client once he is out of quarantine, and to set a trial date in his absence.

Judge Lee set aside June 17 through July 1, 2022, for the trial.

The prosecution, who requested a motion hearing to resolve any outstanding motions two weeks before the trial, said the outstanding plea offer will probably be rejected.

The defendant is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 5.

Parties in Murder Case Prepare for Trial

A DC Superior Court judge set deadlines for motions in a murder case set to go to trial in October 2022.

Larry Brown, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a prohibited weapon, and carrying a dangerous weapon in the death of 33-year-old Derrick Wright, who was stabbed multiple times on March 24, 2018, on the 1300 block of Florida Avenue, NE.

During the Sept. 22 trial readiness hearing, Judge Neal Kravitz ordered parties to file any additional motions by Oct. 28. The defense has until this date to respond to motions previously filed by the prosecution. Motions filed by Oct. 28 must also be responded to within 30 days.

Brown has previously rejected a plea deal, the prosecution said.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for another trial readiness hearing on Oct. 15.

Former Charter School Teacher Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Teenager

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a former charter school teacher for sexually abusing a teenager.

Joan Meyer, 46, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse of a minor for abusing a 14-year-old boy, beginning in 2009.

During the Sept. 22 hearing, Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced Meyer to five years of incarceration, all but six months of which were suspended, followed by 18 months of supervised probation.

Meyer must also register as a sex offender for 10 years, stay away from the victim and undergo a mental health and sex offender treatment and evaluation, as deemed necessary.

During the Sept. 22 sentencing, defense attorney Jay Mykytiuk did not object to the conditions set by the prosecution.

“To be honest,” he said, “I don’t disagree with anything [the prosecution] has posed…and Ms. Meyer doesn’t disagree either.”

“I understand now the impact of my actions and I am deeply remorseful,” Meyer said.

Meyers met the victim when she was an employee of Two Rivers Charter School and he was a 12-year-old student.

The victim did not appear in court but submitted a written victim impact statement. The prosecution called him “one of the smartest, most thoughtful, kind people I have ever met.”

Judge Demeo made provisions in the sentencing to allow Meyer to return to Ohio after she finishes serving her sentence.

Before reading the sentence, Judge Demeo said the court was “struck” by the powerful nature of the victim impact statement.

“He was just a child,” Judge Demeo said, “and so excited to start anew at a new school after a difficult childhood.”

Judge Sentences Repeat Sex Offender to Serve 2 Years in Prison

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a sex abuse defendant to serve two years in prison.

Christopher Sanders, pleaded guilty to third-degree sexual abuse for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl.

During the Sept. 21 hearing, Judge Milton Lee sentenced the defendant to three years, one of which was suspended, plus 30 months of supervised probation.

Sanders, 43, is already a registered sex offender. This is his fifth sexual abuse conviction, Judge Lee said. He ordered the defender to register as a sex offender for life. He is also ordered to stay away from the victim.

The victim said Sanders entered her home on a day she was not in school and sexually assaulted her, according to court documents.

As part of his probation, Sanders is required to partake in a mental health evaluation and treatment, drug testing and sex offender treatment.

Document: On-Duty Special Police Officer Killed

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Sept. 21.

At approximately 8:42 p.m. police responded to the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE, due to sounds of gunshots. Police located 41-year-old Angela Washington and pronounced her dead on scene, according to the press release.

According to the press release, “at the time of the offense, the victim was in uniform and working as an on-duty Special Police Officer.”

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Murder Defendant Accused of Killing Girlfriend

A DC Superior Court judge ruled that the case against a man accused of shooting his girlfriend has enough evidence to go to trial.

Idrissa Fall, 34, is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the death of 29-year-old Dara Northern on July 18 on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW.

During the Sept. 21 preliminary hearing, the lead Metropolitan Police Department detective on the case testified that Northern was shot in the right eye while sitting in a vehicle outside of her home with a friend.

In a 911 call played during the hearing, the friend can be heard saying, “it’s her boyfriend, he shot her through my window,” between pleas for help.

Defense attorney Ronald Resetarits asked Judge Danya Dayson to release his client with the strictest possible conditions. But Judge Dayson said, “there are no conditions or combination of conditions that will ensure the safety of the community.”

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Dec. 10.

Judge Denies Request to Release Murder Defendant

A DC Superior Court judge denied a request to release a murder defendant into home confinement.

Knico Wheaton is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Tavon Cox on Jan. 11, 2020, on the 700 block of 24th Street, SE.

Wheaton is also charged with obstruction of justice, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and robbery while armed in this case.

During the Sept. 21 hearing, Judge Milton Lee denied defense attorney David Ritcher’s request to release his client, who he pointed out has been held at DC Jail for more than a year now. Judge Lee cited the 24-year-old defendant’s criminal record and the probable cause finding made earlier in the case.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 22 for a status hearing.

Judge Releases Eight Domestic Violence Defendants in Initial Hearings

A DC Superior Court judge held one domestic violence defendant during presentments on Sept 21.

A total of 28 cases were brought before Judge Lloyd Nolan.

A domestic violence defendant charged with simple assault and contempt was held due to the charge violating his conditions of release. He is scheduled to return to court on Oct. 10.

Seven domestic violence defendants charged with simple assault were given stay away orders and are set to return to court on Dec. 14.

Crime Alerts: September 21-22

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) sent out three crime alerts between 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 22.

A crime alert was sent out at 9:20 p.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE. Police identified a possible vehicle related to the incident as a White Camry with dark tinted windows.

A crime alert was sent out at 1:30 a.m. due to a knife robbery at the corner of 11 and N Street, NW. Police identified the suspect as a Black male who was approximately 20-30 years old with dreadlocks on a red bike.

A crime alert was sent out at 6:19 a.m. due to a shooting investigation in the 100 block of Mississippi Avenue, SE. Police identified the suspect as a Black male wearing all black.

Document: Arrest Made in Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives hae made an arrest in relation to a homicide.

At approximately 4:49 p.m. on Aug. 31, police responded to the 5000 block of 1st Street, NW, due to a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, police located 28-year-old Brittanie Clark in a residential building suffering from puncture wounds. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was later pronounced dead, according to the press release.

Police arrested 24-year-old Christian Monge on Sept. 21 and charged him with second-degree murder while armed, according to the press release.

Judge Denies Sex Abuse Defendant’s Release Request

A DC Superior Court judge denied a request to release a sex abuse defendant.

The 35-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree sexual abuse for allegedly forcing himself onto a woman while armed on March 25, 2006, in Southeast, DC. He picked up the case in April.

The defendant is a lifetime registered sex offender, according to court documents.

Defense attorney Jason Clark requested his client’s release from DC Jail during the Sept. 21 hearing, pointing out that the alleged incident occurred 15 years ago.

Clark also brought up a car accident the defendant was in back in 2017, which caused him the loose a leg and loose function in his hands. He said his client’s medical needs, which include post-accident surgeries that were scheduled before his arrest, cannot be met by the DC Jail.

Clark also argued that his client’s medical issues make him now incapable of committing the crime he is accused of committing in 2006.

Judge Marisa Demeo denied the request without prejudice. She said that, after reading court documents, including those in other cases of his, she thinks he appears to still pose a threat to his community. She also said the defendant is still capable of putting people’s lives at risk, even despite his medical injuries.

Judge Demeo did, however, allow the defense to gather the paperwork to prove that his medical needs require release from jail.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for a status hearing on Nov. 4.

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